Mizzou adds Hawaii PG Keith Shamburger

Keith Shamburger led the Big West Conference in assists last season, averaging 5.4 dimes per game for Hawaii.

Marco Garcia/Marco Garcia-USA TODAY Sports

ST. LOUIS — Mizzou’s men’s basketball squad filled a legitimate need Tuesday as former Hawaii point guard Keith Shamburger signed on to join the Tigers as a graduate student next season.

"Keith is going to be a great addition to our program," Anderson said. "He gives us some poise and experience in the backcourt and has been one of the top assist guys on his team each of his three years at the college level. He led the Big West in assists last year and will help give us depth, along with Wes Clark, at that position.

"Obviously, we needed some depth at the point and now with Wes and Keith, we feel like we have two talented guys at that all-important spot and they could even be on the floor at the same time."

Shamburger started his career at San Jose State and was the starting point guard for the Spartans in 2010-11 and 2011-12. He started all 63 games of his SJSU career and finished his time among the program’s top 10 in career assists (235) and career three-point field goals made (108) in just two years.

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The 5-foot-11 guard spent his junior season at Hawaii, finishing with a career-high 166 assists. His 5.4 assists per game led the Big West Conference and he ranked second in the league in assist/turnover ratio (2.7) and free-throw percentage (.832). In back-to-back wins over St. Mary’s and Oregon State, Shamburger recorded 16 assists and just one turnover.

"I’m excited to be joining Mizzou, and after playing that game in Kansas City last year, seeing the fans, seeing the support and seeing how much the players felt a part of that school, it really opened my eyes," Shamburger said. "I know Jabari Brown, and we talked once I made my decision to leave Hawaii.

"I really want to say how much I appreciate Hawaii," Shamburger continued. "The people and my teammates were fantastic, but the chance to play for Missouri and have that experience again (like the one in Kansas City) was too good to pass up."

Shamburger signed his financial aid agreement with Missouri after offers from Auburn, Maryland and Tennessee.

"I’m coming here to do whatever coach Anderson needs from me," Shamburger said. "I feel like I have some experience, some maturity, and I want to be a guy that can help these young guys out in the backcourt. I want to do whatever I can to help us win."